Building structure folding and unfolding under the effect of the weight of the same and along vertical joint axes

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a structure for the constructions of folding and unfolding buildings, for example, horse stables but not limited thereto, of the type comprising frames made from welded profiles and covered with panels or sheets which may comprise doors, windows or ventilators, the whole assembly being covered by a roof. The structure is characterized in comprising, after deployment and installation, a parallepiped volume with a rigid front facade ( 2 ) and rear facade ( 3 ) and two folding lateral walls. Each lateral wall ( 4, 5 ) comprises jointing means ( 19 ) on one central vertical joint axis ( 6 ) and on two secondary vertical joint axes ( 7  and  8 ) provided to either side of the central axis ( 6 ). Each lateral wall is thus composed of four rectangular leaves ( 20 ) of the same height and which can be folded by means of an accordion style of folding, characterized in that the distance between the two central axes ( 6 ) remains constant and that the structure comprises two fixing or anchoring means ( 12  and  13 ) on each lateral wall ( 4, 5 ), positioned on top of the structure and symmetrically with relation to the central axis ( 6 ). The method for folding or unfolding is characterized in that a lifting beam is used to raise the structure which folds or unfolds under the influence of the weight thereof, due to the force exerted by the weight on cables ( 27, 28 ) fixed between the lifting beam and the structure.

The present invention relates to a folding and unfolding building structure.

The problem to be solved concerns more particularly, but not exclusively, structures or boxes for housing horses during horse shows.

Known structures, for example disclosed by document FR 2 826 385, are lightweight and folding but require several folding maneuvers and means for locking them in the unfolded position to prevent the top part from folding in on the occupants.

The object to be achieved is to produce stables, for housing horses during a show, which can be folded and unfolded without the need for complicated and/or expensive means for their installation.

This object is achieved by the invention which consists of a structure for the construction of folding and unfolding buildings, for example horse stables but not limited thereto, of the type comprising frames made from welded sections and covered with panels or sheets which may comprise doors, windows or ventilators, the whole assembly being covered by a roof, the structure being characterized in that it constitutes, after deployment and installation, a parallelepipedal volume with a rigid front facade and rear facade and two folding lateral walls, each lateral wall comprising jointing means on one central vertical joint axis and on two secondary vertical joint axes provided on either side of the central axis, each lateral wall being thus composed of four rectangular leaves of the same height and which can be folded concertina-style, characterized in that the distance between the two central axes remains constant and characterized in that the structure comprises two fixing or attachment means on each lateral wall, positioned on top of the structure and symmetrically relative to the central axis.

The invention also consists of a method for folding and unfolding the structure of the invention, characterized in that a lifting bar is used to raise the structure which folds or unfolds under the effect of its own weight, due to the tensile force exerted by the weight on cables (27, 28) attached between the lifting bar and the structure.

The invention will be more clearly understood with the aid of the following description provided with reference to the following appended figures:

FIG. 1: a general view of a structure according to the invention,

FIG. 2: an end-on view of one of the facades, front or rear, of the structure of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3: a view from above of the structure of FIG. 1 in the unfolded position, and

FIG. 4: a view from above of the structure of FIG. 1 as it is being folded.

A folding structure (1) according to the invention constitutes, after deployment and installation, a parallelepipedal volume with a non-folding front facade (2) and rear facade (3) and two folding lateral facades (4 and 5).

Each lateral wall (4, 5) comprises jointing means (19) on one central vertical axis (6) and on two secondary vertical axes (7 and 8) provided on either side of the central axis (6).

Each lateral wall is thus composed of four rectangular leaves (20) of the same height, whose width is preferably but not necessarily equal, and which can be folded concertina-style.

To make it possible to fold the structure, the distance between the two central axes (6) has to remain constant and rigid.

For this purpose, the structure comprises a rigid rectangular central frame (9) reinforced at the top by a stiffening bar (10) running parallel to and above the frame and fixed to the latter by two legs (11).

Also to allow folding, the structure comprises two fixing or attachment means (12 and 13) on each lateral wall (4, 5), these being positioned on top of the structure and symmetrically relative to the central axis (6). The means (12, 13) are, for example, rings for attaching cables or chains.

Preferably, and to keep the structure lightweight, the structure is composed of frames made for example from welded sections, each of which may comprise additional welded bars such as (14, 15) for attaching doors and/or partitions and/or windows.

Covering elements (sheets of metal or plastic, lightweight rigid panels (16), doors (17) or the like) are attached to the frames to finish off the stables, and a roof (not shown) is laid over the top.

Depending on where the internal intermediate partitions are placed, the stables can be divided into several boxes.

Any intermediate partition, such as (18), parallel to the lateral walls, can be folded concertina-style.

The operations for folding and unfolding the structure are described below.

For these operations use is made of a beam (21) of a lifting bar suspended from the arm of a crane.

The beam (21) is longer than the central frame (9) and has two intermediate attachment points (22, 23) provided at a distance (d) from the ends of the beam and, at each end, a smaller beam (24) perpendicular to the beam. Each end of the smaller beam comprises an attachment point (25, 26).

To fold the structure, two cables (27, 28) (or chains) of the lifting bar are attached between the attachment points or means (12, 13) of one lateral wall and the closest intermediate attachment point (22 or 23), the same being done for the other lateral wall and the other intermediate point (see FIG. 3, the position of the cables before folding).

The lifting bar is then raised, the weight of the structure generates tensile force components (29, 30) on the cables, causing the leaves (20 a, 20 b) jointed on the central axis to pivot in the direction of the central frame (9).

The lateral (4, 5) and intermediate (13) walls then fold concertina-style and the front and rear facades (2, 3) move toward the central frame (9) (see FIG. 4). Preferably, to ensure that the facades (2, 3) come to be pressed against a central wall, if there is one, or against one another if there is not, the cables are crossed at each attachment point (22) as shown in FIG. 3.

Once folded, a compact, neat structure is obtained.

To unfold the structure, the cables of the lifting bar are attached between the same points (12, 13) on the leaves and the attachment points (25, 26) on the ends of smaller beams, the leaves (20 a, 20 b) being folded.

By raising the lifting bar the tensile force of the cables under the effect of the weight of the structure causes the leaves (20 a and 20 b) to rotate, said leaves moving away from the frame and the lateral walls thus unfolding (FIG. 1 shows the position of the cables after folding).

The connection means (27, 28) may be cables, chains, rigid metal or non-metal rods, etc. of variable lengths depending on the locations selected for the attachment points (12, 13) and/or (22) and/or (25, 26).

The invention achieves its objects: it is easy to fold and unfold, the means used to produce the structure are simple, inexpensive, effective, and its principle may be extended to other uses, for example fair stands, emergency shelters for accident victims, etc. 

1. A structure for the construction of folding and unfolding buildings, for example horse stables but not limited thereto, of the type comprising frames made from welded sections and covered with panels or sheets which may comprise doors, windows or ventilators, the whole assembly being covered by a roof, the structure being characterized in that it constitutes, after deployment and installation, a parallelepipedal volume with a rigid front facade (2) and rear facade (3) and two folding lateral walls, each lateral wall (4, 5) comprising jointing means (19) on one central vertical joint axis (6) and on two secondary vertical joint axes (7 and 8) provided on either side of the central axis (6), each lateral wall being thus composed of four rectangular leaves (20) of the same height and which can be folded concertina-style, characterized in that the distance between the two central axes (6) remains constant and characterized in that the structure comprises two fixing or attachment means (12 and 13) on each lateral wall (4, 5), positioned on top of the structure and symmetrically relative to the central axis (6).
 2. The structure as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that it also comprises at least one intermediate partition (18) which can be folded concertina-style.
 3. The structure as claimed in either of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that it is composed of frames made from welded sections, each of which may comprise additional welded bars such as (14, 15) for attaching doors and/or partitions and/or windows.
 4. The structure as claimed in one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that covering elements (plastic or fabric sheets, lightweight rigid panels (16), doors (17) or the like) are attached to the frames to finish off the stables, and a roof (not shown) is laid over the top.
 5. A method for folding or unfolding the structure as claimed in one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a lifting bar is used to raise the structure which folds or unfolds under the effect of its own weight, due to the tensile force exerted by the weight on cables (27, 28) attached between the lifting bar and the structure.
 6. The method as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that to fold the structure, two connection means (27, 28) of the lifting bar are attached between the attachment points or means (12, 13) of one lateral wall and the closest intermediate attachment point (22 or 23), the same being done for the other lateral wall and the other intermediate point, the intermediate points being provided at a distance (d) from the ends of a beam (21) of the lifting bar.
 7. The method as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that to unfold the structure, the connection means of the lifting bar are attached between the same points (12, 13) on the leaves and the attachment points (25, 26) on the ends of smaller beams placed perpendicularly at the ends of the beam (21). 